February 1, 2015
Did you know that we restore trunks? Although trunks have been around for centuries, the ones we see most often now date from the late 19th through the early 20th century when they were replaced with the much-easier-to-carry suitcase. Trunks were generally made by constructing a box and adding decorative &/or protective materials such as leather, metal, paper or canvas. There were hundreds of trunk manufacturers in the US. The largest of these, Seward Truck Co. founded in Petersburg, VA, in 1878, still makes trunks as part of Mercury Luggage Corporation; their former factory is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been turned into residences. Another large trunk manufacturer, Shwayder Trunk Co. of Denver, CO, would eventually become Samsonite. One of the better known French manufacturers was Louis Vuitton, whose trunks are particularly valuable. The before and after photo below give you an idea of the work we do, but additional photos of the trunk-in-progress are on line.
The variety of trunks available is amazing! Dome-top trunks, including camel-backs, barrel-tops and hump-backs, are more difficult to turn into coffee tables than the flat top varieties. Also known as steamer trunks, these first appeared in the 1870’s, but surged in popularity from the 1880’s through the 1920’s. Saratoga trunks were the premium trunks for many makers and are characterized by having complex internal trays. Wardrobe trunks were meant to stand on end and contained hangers for clothes on one side with drawers on the other; they often contained mirrors. Hat trunks were square shaped trunks popular from the 1860’s to the 1890’s. Today they are mostly called “half-trunks” as they are smaller and easier to carry. Victorian women loved this trunk style, which could hold up to 6 hats or bonnets, hence antique trunk labels often call this type a “ladies'” trunk. Hat trunks generally sell for more than any other average trunk style because they are smaller and they are rather hard to find. Another small trunk is the cabin trunk, which was the equivalent of today’s carry on luggage. They were low-profiled and small enough to fit under the berths of trains or in the cabin of a steamer, hence their name. Most were built with flat-tops and had inner tray compartments to store the owner’s valuables that were too precious to keep stowed away in the main luggage train or berth. Has this gotten you thinking about trunks? See what you can find at a garage sale or in your own attic, then get it restored as a way to add to your décor . . .
The only special hours we have to report for this month is that we’ll be open on the 16th for President’s Day from 10 until 6.
Finally, for being a newsletter reader, come in wearing red on Valentine’s Day, Saturday the 14th, and get a 15% discount on your purchases. Have a great month!
Lynne & Bob McCann